Method and apparatus for securing a wireless air interface

Abstract

Some embodiments are implemented in a communication system that includes a first wireless communication system and a second wireless communication system that includes a Femtocell access point (FAP) and a network controller that can communicatively couple the FAP to the first wireless communication system. In some embodiments, the network controller can communicatively couple to the first wireless communication system through a UTRAN Iu interface. Some embodiments provide a method of securing a wireless air interface. The method receives a security mode command that includes a set of security keys and a set of security algorithms at the FAP from the network controller. The method determines the integrity of a set of messages that are exchanged between the FAP and a user equipment that is communicatively coupled to the FAP through an air interface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.